Apparatus and method for character entry in a portable terminal

Abstract

A character entry method and apparatus in a terminal in which characters are grouped into a plurality of character sets and a representative character of each of the character sets is imprinted on a respective key are provided. In the character entry method, when a key imprinted with a representative character is pressed, characters belonging to a character set represented by the representative character are displayed and a character among the displayed characters is marked with a selection indication. When a move key is pressed, the duration is identified and compared with a criterion time. If the selection indication is equal to or longer than the criterion time, the character marked with the selection indication is entered.

1 . A character entry method in a terminal, the method comprising:
 when a key comprising a representative character is pressed, displaying characters belonging to a character set represented by the representative character and marking a character among the displayed characters with a selection indication;   when a move key is pressed, identifying key press duration of the move key and comparing with a criterion time; and   if the key press duration of the move key is equal to or longer than the criterion time, entering the character marked with the selection indication.   
   
   
       2 . The character entry method of  claim 1 , further comprising moving the selection indication if the key press duration of the move key is shorter than the criterion time. 
   
   
       3 . The character entry method of  claim 1 , wherein the selection indication is marked over the representative character when the characters are displayed. 
   
   
       4 . The character entry method of  claim 1 , wherein the selection indication comprises at least one of shading, underlining, flashing, and magnification. 
   
   
       5 . The character entry method of  claim 1 , further comprising acquiring start and release times of the key press of the move key. 
   
   
       6 . The character entry method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying the entered character on a main screen. 
   
   
       7 . A character entry apparatus in a portable terminal, comprising:
 a keypad having a plurality of keys wherein characters are grouped into a plurality of character sets and a respective key of the plurality of keys comprises a representative character of each of the character sets;   a display for, when a key with a representative character is pressed, displaying characters belonging to a character set represented by the representative character; and   a controller for, when a move key is pressed, moving a selection indication for selecting a character to be entered, or entering a character with the selection indication.   
   
   
       8 . The character entry apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the controller compares a key press duration with a criterion time, moves the selection indication according to the direction of the move key if the key press duration is shorter than the criterion time, and enters a character marked with the selection indication if the key press duration is equal to or longer than the criterion time. 
   
   
       9 . The character entry apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the key press duration is acquired from start and release times of the key press of the move key. 
   
   
       10 . The character entry apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the display marks the representative character with the selection indication when the characters are displayed. 
   
   
       11 . The character entry apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the selection indication comprises at least one of shading, underlining, flashing, and magnification. 
   
   
       12 . A character entry method in a terminal, the method comprising:
 displaying characters belonging to a character set represented by the representative character and marking a character among the displayed characters with a selection indication; and   entering the character marked with the selection indication.   
   
   
       13 . The character entry method of  claim 12 , wherein the selection indication is marked over the representative character when the characters are displayed. 
   
   
       14 . The character entry method of  claim 12 , wherein the selection indication comprises at least one of shading, underlining, flashing, and magnification. 
   
   
       15 . The character entry method of  claim 12 , further comprising acquiring start and release times of the key press of the move key. 
   
   
       16 . The character entry method of  claim 12 , further comprising displaying the entered character on a main screen. 
   
   
       17 . A character entry apparatus in a portable terminal, comprising:
 means for displaying characters belonging to a character set represented by the representative character and marking a character among the displayed characters with a selection indication; and   means for entering the character marked with the selection indication.   
   
   
       18 . The character entry apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the selection indication comprises at least one of shading, underlining, flashing, and magnification. 
   
   
       19 . A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for character entry for a terminal, comprising a plurality of keys wherein characters are grouped into a plurality of character sets, the plurality of keys comprising a representative character of each of the character sets:
 a first code segment, for displaying characters belonging to a character set represented by the representative character and marking a character among the displayed characters with a selection indication;   a second code segment, for identifying key press duration of the move key and comparing with a criterion time when a move key is pressed; and   a third code segment, for entering the character marked with the selection indication if the key press duration of the move key is equal to or longer than the criterion time.